Rifleman Q & A: Belgian Inheritance

by
posted on June 26, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
belgian.jpg

Q: This shotgun belonged to my father, and I inherited it when he passed away. I found a box of 10-ga. ammunition for it, though I have yet to chamber and fire a shell through it. I’ve been told it kicks like the proverbial mule. The gun has been inspected and cleaned by a local gunsmith, and he mentioned he had never seen or worked on a Parkhurst side-by-side before. My dilemma is, I don’t have a clue as to the rareness or collectability of this shotgun, and would like to know a little more about what I’ve inherited.

A: Your William Parkhurst shotgun was made in Belgium. A submitted photo of the proofmarks, found on the barrel and action flats, would have verified its origin. Almost all were made by Simonis, Janssen, Dumoulin y Cie in Liege, Belgium, for import by American hardware stores, mail-order houses and gun shops between 1893 and 1914. They sold in the $12 to $15 range.

Your gunsmith did a fine job cleaning it up, but seemed to omit some vital information. From the photos, your shotgun appears to have Damascus, laminated or twist-steel barrels. The proofmarks will indicate proofing with blackpowder, whose chamber pressures are in the low 9,000-p.s.i. range. Furthermore, he should have measured the length of the chambers, as in all probability this gun is chambered for 2 78" shells, and the ammunition you have is probably for 3½" chambers and shotguns made of modern steel with a service pressure of 11,000 p.s.i.

Because of this shotgun’s age, Damascus-style barrels and lack of sourcing for repair parts, I would not fire it under any circumstances unless it is first examined and declared safe by a gunsmith familiar with similar old double guns.

--John M. Taylor

Latest

Kimber 2K11
Kimber 2K11

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.